This is a great video explaining social media in simple terms and why we need it in our business.

I was in Big W the other day and I couldn’t help but notice what the staff were doing. It was a great opportunity to learn from some from a big retail brand. What they do at Big W very well is their visual merchandising. The thing that really stood out to me was how they had turned the top shelf of their book section into valuable advertising space.

It was a simple concept in which they hung a banner telling everyone that their was a 30% sale on books. Simple and nothing overly inspiring yet I hear you say. But what made this so special that the top shelf that they had covered up was usually an eyesore where they stored excess books. They were able to convert this ugly space, that would normally only attract unwanted attention, into a excellent opportunity to bring people from all around the store into their book section.

It got me thinking about our own small businesses. Are we utilising all of our available space. Could their be an ugly eyesore in our shop or office that could be transformed into a marketing opportunity. This weeks Top five on Friday list is Places in Our Business we can turn from Awful to Awesome.

1. Back of our Computers.
If we have customers in our office or reception area, often the back of our computer screens are plain and black. It is simple to add a screen or sticker to them that could send out a simple message to your clients. Remember that the message should be informing customers about a specific product you can up-sell them on.

2. Shelving
This is a great way to cover up ugly storage areas as they did in big W. If you have a customer in your office or at your counter what would be more effective. A library of folders or a cleverly placed ad telling them of a complimentary product or service that they may not know you offer.

3. Reception Area.
A bare reception area can present a fantastic opportunity to inform your customers of any new products or services as well as ad some atmosphere to the decor. In front of the counter or behind the receptionist are always popular as this is where the client is most likely to look.

4. Front Window or Fence.
If you do not have a display that your clients need to see from the front of your business, covering the front of your business with a marketing message can be hugely effective. It can draw people in as the human mind is curious by nature. It is an added bonus if you are on a popular road.

5. On the back of Invoices/Statements
You are already sending out the mail so why not utilize the back side of the statement to inform your customers of any great offers that you have.

Remember that all of the above need to fit with your overall marketing message and must still display the right message at the right time. Be mindful to remember that you are doing creating more opportunities to help the customer because you know that the they will benefit for your product or service, not just to slam more advertising at them. Subtlety is the key. The modern customer is smart and knows when they are trying to be sold to.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on what you see as areas you can turn from awful to awesome.

Thanks

What an awsome Video. Its from a movie called “Facing the Giants”. It gets me thinking. Are their times in your business when you believe your are defeated. That there is nothing more you can do? That making it to the 50 yard line is impossible.

As a business owner you probably feel ike you  have more than a kid on your back. You have finacial and family pressures, stress from your team, customers demanding great service, and it feels like you are carring the whole world on your back.  Making it through the day is a challenge, let alone the week, month or year.

Now stop and think of ‘Brock’. His body was hurting, his brain was saying stop, but his coach kept him going. Providing inspiarion, pushing him to his limits andallowing him to achieve what he never seen as possible.

Who is coaching your business?

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